Most flopped gutshots with AK are to the nuts, and that certainly means they are candidates for aggressive lines due to their measure of equity retention.
It should also be noted that knowing how to play gutshots with AK will give us a leg up when it comes to playing other draws (such as nut flush draws (NFDs) with AK suited). We need to be able to make estimates regarding range-vs.-range equity.By default, we will often need to employ mixed strategies.So what is it that makes AK with a flopped gutshot so tough to play?
The other two “buckets” – missing with Ace King & flopping top pair – were covered in previous chapters. In some senses, this is also the least relevant of the three “buckets” we have chosen, because it comparatively occurs with the lowest frequency. So without further ado, let’s get into the strategy…Īrguably, one of the toughest aspects of playing AK is when it flops a gutshot. This material comes directly from Chapter 11 “When AK Flops A Gutshot” in the book Optimizing Ace King. In this guide, we are going to look at how to play gutshots through the lens of Ace King. 98 is a double gutty here since a Jack OR a 7 would make their straight. And in some cases, a starting hand can actually have a double gutshot (aka a double-belly buster). Note that gutshots can also have other qualities (for instance, AK has a gutshot straight draw AND two overcards on QT6).
